RNC Notebook: Despite cancellations, Monday was busy day at RNC

TAMPA — For officially having the day off, Florida's delegates to the Republican National Convention got in their share of tropical storm updates by Gov. Rick Scott, compliments for Mitt Romney and digs on Charlie Crist during a Monday breakfast.

At a joint Florida-South Carolina delegation breakfast, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Gov. Rick Scott, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and future Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford addressed the state's delegation on a dreary Monday. Republican officials canceled all official events except for the gavel slam that started the convention Monday.

Here are some insights Florida politicos shared after the Innisbrook Resort event.

Senate presidency

Weatherford might be in line to run the Legislature's lower chamber next year, but the Wesley Chapel lawmaker didn't want to weigh in much on a 2016 Florida Senate presidency race featuring Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater. He still had a few words about how senators jockey for leadership.

"I learned a long time ago as a House member that the politics of the Senate is the politics of the Senate, and to not engage in things you do not understand," Weatherford said. "And I think I have a good understanding of the Florida House. I do not have a good understanding of the politics of the Senate. Therefore, I try to stay out of it."

Hasner and West

Adam Hasner, who is running against former Democratic West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel for the District 22 seat U.S. Rep. Allen West is vacating, said both his race and West's are huge for control of the U.S. House. West faces Democrat Patrick Murphy in a November battle for Martin-St. Lucie-northern Palm Beach District 18. West is slated to show up at the convention Tuesday.

"I can tell you this," Hasner said. "We stand between Nancy Pelosi having the speaker's gavel in 2013, which I think would send the wrong message for our country, and for what needs to be done to get our fiscal house in order."

Crist bashing

Putnam had strong words for former Gov. Charlie Crist, who announced he'd speak at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte in two weeks.

"The fact that he's run as a Republican, run as an independent and is rumored to be considering to run as a Democrat really underscores people's worst stereotypes about politicians, that you'll run under any banner for any office that seems to suit you," Putnam said.

On West

Putnam also commended West in his re-election campaign.

"He certainly represents the fact that we're a big tent party, that this is not some old white country club scene from Caddyshack," he said. "Allen West is a strong leader, a straight talker, and you know where he stands."

U.S. Rep John Mica, who just beat tea party backed U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams in a heated District 7 primary, wasn't as enthused with West. He said he'd rather not discuss West, who backed Adams against him.